Vol. 2 No.
11 "India is the cradle of the human race... " - Mark TwainJune 2008"Canada is one of the oldest federations the planet still has up
and running." - Roy MacGregor

World
Partnership WalkA Giant Leap for Humanity!

By
Dilzayn and Dilnoor Panjwani

Hon. George
Smitherman and Hon. Kathleen Wynne
cutting the Ribbon at World Partnership Walk

"In
Canada we are fortunate to have a strong health care system to turn
to when we're sick. Yet despite unprecedented advances in health
care, many children and families in developing countries still do
not have access to basic care needed to treat preventable and
curable diseases. Partnership can be a powerful force. I look
forward to walking with you in partnership to help alleviate global
poverty and help to break down barriers to accessible health care,
one step at a time" - Hon.
George Smitherman, Deputy Premier & Minister of Health and
Long-Term Care.

"I
want to take this opportunity to thank Aga Khan Foundation Canada
for organizing the 2008 World Partnership Walk. Every year the Walk
exemplifies the commitment by Canadians to fight poverty all over
the world. Education is a right that every child in the world should
enjoy. I am proud to walk in partnership with you again this year,
to diminish the many obstacles to educational access in the world
and endeavour to provide opportunities to those who are less
fortunate than we are."- Hon.
Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education

Over
seven thousand people left the comfort of their homes on a sunny
spring Sunday morning, under the clear blue skies, to walk the
streets of Toronto. They walked not just to burn some
calories but to unite in partnership to fight global poverty!

This
year, the 24th World Partnership Walk, an initiative of Aga Khan
Foundation Canada, attracted thousands of people from the Greater
Toronto Area and a record number of 220 corporate and community
teams, unified in a common effort to bring hope and renewal to some
of the poorest communities in the world. Organized by a team of
dedicated and selfless volunteers, this year's Walk aimed to surpass
the 1.7 million dollars raised last year.

Although
a few small steps for the participants, but a giant leap for
humanity! All funds raised (100%) will go directly to international
development initiatives and help support programs in health,
education, rural development and strengthening community-based
organizations.

The
World Partnership Walk truly epitomizes the noble Canadian spirit of
giving and volunteerism. The young and the old, men, women,
children, youth, mothers with pushchairs, and some brave ones with
walking aids - what an inspiring spectacle it was to watch them
walk along the five kilometers route to the beat of the Ismaili
Band. Their hearts were filled with hope for the
poverty-stricken people around the globe.

The
after-walk entertainment with music and dance performances, hosted
by Husein Madhavji of CTV, created a vibrant and festive atmosphere,
as people enjoyed their lunch on the grounds of Metro Hall.

With
over forty thousand walkers across the nation, the World Partnership
Walk is one of Canada's longest running annual event dedicated to
increasing awareness about global poverty. The Walk is organized by
volunteers in nine cities across Canada - London, Ottawa, Toronto,
Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener and Victoria. The
Walk has raised over $45 million since inception. Funds raised by
the Walk have helped Aga Khan Foundation Canada to leverage
additional support from large donors like the CIDA (Canadian
International Development Agency). This year marks the celebration
of the 25th anniversary in partnership with CIDA.

Aga
Khan Foundation Canada, an agency of the Aga Khan Development
Network, supports long-term sustainable programs that are managed at
a local level. The Foundation focuses on basic health care,
education opportunities for children and adults, assists rural
communities in working together to find solutions and helps
strengthen civil society. "Smart Solutions" empower those
directly in need with skills, knowledge and tools to improve their
lives and livelihoods.